Page 15 of Unintentionally Yours

But before she could form the words, before she could do something truly ill-advised like climb him like a tree, Finn started toward the door and the charged moment snapped like an overstretched rubber band.

He jerked his chin towards the window, where the rain still lashed against the glass in heavy, unrelenting sheets. “Why don’t you poke around, see if you can find something to keep you occupied while I take care of a few things? Got some books on the shelf and a couple board games in the closet. Mi casa es su casa and all that.”

With that, he pulled on a pair of boots and grabbed a coat from the rack by the door and shrugged into it, tugging the collar up around his ears before ducking out into the rain. Layla stared after him, feeling oddly bereft in the sudden stillness of the cabin.

Keep herself occupied. Right. She could do that.

CHAPTER FIVE

. . .

Layla wandered down the hall, her mind still reeling from the charged moment with Finn. Her skin felt too tight, every nerve ending alight and buzzing with restless, reckless energy she couldn’t seem to shake.

She needed a distraction, something to occupy her hands and thoughts before doing something foolish. Like throw herself into Finn’s arms and kissing him senseless.

Since he’d told her to make herself at home, she opened the door between his bedroom and bathroom. He said there was only one bedroom in the cabin, so what was behind door number three? Layla pushed it open wider. It was completely dark inside. Her hand searched along the wall until she found a light switch.

Light flooded the room at her touch, revealing a small space lined with tables and shelves. A slow smile spread across Layla’s face as she realized what she was looking at.

A dark room. An honest-to-goodness, old-school darkroom, complete with developing trays, an enlarger, and neat rows of photographs pinned to lines strung across the ceiling.

“Oh, Finn Brody,” she murmured, wonderstruck. “You are just full of surprises, aren’t you?”

She ventured further into the room, captivated by the breathtaking photographs adorning the walls. Stunning landscapes and intimate wildlife portraits, each captured with a masterful touch, filled her with awe. A lone wolf silhouetted against a moonlit sky, its haunting howl frozen in time, made her heart ache with its raw beauty. The images radiated a profound reverence for the untamed wilderness, leaving her breathless and overwhelmed by emotions she couldn’t quite name.

“Find something interesting?”

Layla whirled to find Finn leaning against the door jamb with his arms crossed and a hard twist on his lips.

“I’m going to have to put a bell around your neck, Finn Brody if you keep sneaking up on me.”

“Or, you’re going to have to listen better, Layla Bryant.”

“Meaning, I shouldn’t be snooping around?”

“Meaning curiosity killed the cat,” Finn drawled, pushing off the wall and entering the room. Immediately, the small space became even smaller.

Layla stuck her tongue out at him, then she suddenly had the wild, wanton urge to put her tongue to a different use entirely, to trace the line of his jaw, the hollow of his throat, the cut of his hip...

Finn cleared his throat, and Layla blinked, cheeks flushing as she realized she’d been staring. Ogling him like a piece of meat, all but undressing him with her eyes. Mortification burned hot and bright in her gut.

“Um. Sorry, I...” She shook her head and forced her gaze back to the photographs. Willed her voice not to shake as she continued, “These are wonderful, Finn. Truly incredible.”

He shrugged, the movement a fluid ripple of muscle beneath his worn henley. “They’re alright, I guess.”

Layla gaped at him, at the nonchalance in his tone. He brushed off her praise like it meant nothing, like he couldn’t see the sheer brilliance of his work.

“Alright? Finn, these are...I don’t even have the words. They’re magnificent. You have an amazing eye and an incredible talent. Have you had a show?”

“What?” He turned to her, a thunderous frown on his face.

“A show? In a gallery?”

“No. Those are for me. No one else.” He shifted his weight, looking uncomfortable with the effusive compliment. “It’s just a hobby. Something to pass the time.”

“It’s more than that, and you know it,” Layla insisted, undeterred. She turned to face him fully, hands planted on her hips as she met his gaze head-on. “Why would you downplay your gift? You should be proud of this, Finn. So incredibly proud.”

“Things come at a price, little girl. Sometimes a price that can’t be paid.” His jaw tightened, a muscle ticking in his cheek as he looked away.

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